La Crosse, Wisconsin recently adopted a resolution admitting it once prevented non-white groups from settling and living in their town after sundown. The resolution acknowledged and apologized for the pain and suffering those practices caused. It pledged to work for the common good, to build a warm and welcoming community where all people can live, be free, and pursue happiness. Some sources say thousands of communities all across our country once kept non-white groups from living in certain towns–by force, law, or custom. They justified racial discrimination by twisting God’s Word which calls us to treat all people with kindness and respect. Our Lord harshly condemned the religious people of his day for mistreating people and claiming their right to do so by twisting God’s word. The religious crowd defended their right to break their promises to treat others fairly. They did so by twisting the truth God had revealed. We read in Matthew 23 that Jesus said we are accountable to God for all promises we make to each other. So even though we are imperfect and sometimes fail, we should do our best to keep our word and treat all people with fairness and kindness.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
